Checklist: Opening a Lodging and/or Meeting Facility

If you are thinking about opening a lodging and/or meeting facility in Chatham County, we have provided a checklist of things to do. You will also find answers to questions you might have if you are considering operating a bed and breakfast, country inn, RV camp, campground, meeting facility or related facilities, such as when you need a permit and what taxes you must collect.

This is your first point of contact. Residential zoning districts allow Bed & Breakfast Homes (see definition below) to open and operate without having to obtain a conditional use permit, while Bed & Breakfast Inns must obtain a conditional use permit to operate in a residential district. Please contact the Planning Department to verify if you meet the B&B requirements for the zoning district of the facility. However, it is important to note that events, assemblies, or other related activities may require other types of approvals or permits for a B&B.

Definition of a Bed & Breakfast (B&B) Home: Owner-occupied bed and breakfast homes with no more than two (2) rooms (units) for rent for stays no longer than seven (7) consecutive days. B&B Homes are permitted in the R5, R2 and R1 Zoning Districts if the Home is located on at least 1.5 acres and meets the standard setbacks of the Zoning District.

Definition of a Bed & Breakfast (B&B) Inn:Small, owner-operated businesses where the owner may or may not live on the premises. The building's primary usage is for lodging of overnight guests and meals served in conjunction with the stay of guests. The facility must be located on at least three acres, with no more than six rooms for rent, and have double the setbacks on all buildings, structures, and high intensity activity areas. B&B Inns may host events such as weddings, small business meetings, et cetera with up to 6 overnight rooms for rent to guests. B&B Inns are permitted in the CB and RB Zoning Districts, but require a conditional use permit in the R5, R2 or R1 districts.

A bed and breakfast facility in a single family dwelling that contains eight or less guest rooms for rent is considered a single-family dwelling. The building must comply with the current edition of the NC Residential Code.
NC Fire and Building Code is applicable for a bed and breakfast facility in a single family dwelling that contains nine or more sleeping units. All bed and breakfast facilities utilizing fossil fuel burning appliances and/or have attached garages must undergo an annual carbon monoxide detector(s) inspection by the Chatham County Fire Marshal’s Office.

Special events including but not limited to fairs, carnivals, street festivals, art shows, outdoor musical performances, plays or similar events involving tents, inflatables, food sales, music with outside sound/amplification or fireworks may need permitting from various county departments. For assistance navigating the permitting process with all relevant agencies, visit Special Events Pre-Application Form. This webpage and form were created to assist residents and groups planning an event navigate the permitting process with all relevant agencies.

Definition of a Bed & Breakfast: For Environmental Health, a Bed and Breakfast is defined as a private home offering bed and breakfast accommodations to eight or less persons per night for a period of less than a week. Also, amaximum of four guest bedrooms may be offered under state regulations for a Bed & Breakfast Home permit.

Definition of a Bed and Breakfast Inn:According to state requlations, a B&B Inn is NOT the same as a B&B. The B&B Inn is defined as a business of no more than 12 guest rooms offering and breakfast accommodations for nine to 23 persons maximum per night for a period of less than one week. However, the B&B Inn also:

Does not serve food or drink to the general public for pay

Serves only the breakfast meal, and that meal is served only to overnight guests of the business

Includes the price of breakfast in the room rate; and

Is the permanent residence of the owner or the manager of the business.

Other Questions to Consider: The questions below are important to consider as some may require other environmental health permits.

How many total bedrooms exist in the home and how many of these will be available for overnight guests to book?

Will your site host meetings, public functions or conduct food catering activity? If so, you may be required to have a commercial kitchen which is separate from the innkeeper's domestic use kitchen. A separate application process is required for requesting a food service permit.

Is your home on a municipal sewer system or does it use a private septic system? If on a private system, the septic system must be sized or modified to accommodate the largest number of guests based on use frequency and type of food service. A separate application process is required when requesting the evaluation of an existing septic system or the installation of a new septic system.

Do you have municipal water or a private well? State regulations require that existing or new wells comply with setback and construction specifications. You may be required to comply with the state's Division of Groundwater Quality's regulations if you prepare food other than the breakfast meal.

Are you planning to offer use of a swimming pool or hot tub on your premises? If so, a separate pool operations application process is required before a permit can be issued when a pool is available for public use.

Environmental Health Fees & Information: Click here for more information on Environmental Health regulations. Click here for a current list of fees.

Occupancy taxes must be paid monthly by all lodging establishments, including Bed and Breakfasts and Bed and Breakfast Inns. The forms and taxes are due by the 20th of the month for the preceding month. IMPORTANT: Forms must be submitted, even if no taxes are due.

The Pittsboro-Siler City Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) serves all of Chatham County and provides various services to promote lodding and meeting facilities to potential visitors around the state and the nation. So contacting them is a great place to start your marketing efforts. The CVB provides numerous services to Chatham County's tourism-related businesses, all of which are free. Below are just a few:

Include information for tourism-related businesses on its tourism website, which includes information on lodging, dining, shopping, attractions and special events.

We have provided links below to other related non-county organizations. Chatham County does not require membership to any of the professional membership associations included in the list below nor do we endorse any of these groups.